Affiliations: [a] Pharmacology Vascular Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Malaysia | [b] Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Malaysia | [c] School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Malaysia | [d] Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Malaysia | [e] Central Research Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Malaysia
Correspondence:
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Correspondence to: Professor Dr. Aida Hanum Ghulam Rasool, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kota Bharu, Malaysia. Tel.: +609 7676123; Fax: +609 7653370;
aida@kb.usm.my
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Obesity is associated with impaired microvascular endothelial function. We aimed to determine the effects of orlistat and sibutramine treatment on microvascular endothelial function, anthropometric and lipid profile, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR). METHODS: 76 subjects were recruited and randomized to receive orlistat 120 mg three times daily or sibutramine 10 mg daily for 9 months. Baseline weight, BMI, BP, HR and lipid profile were taken. Microvascular endothelial function was assessed using laser Doppler fluximetry and iontophoresis process. Maximum change (max), percent change (% change) and peak flux (peak) in perfusion to acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) iontophoresis were used to quantify endothelium dependent and independent vasodilatations. RESULTS: 24 subjects in both groups completed the trial. After treatment, weight and BMI were decreased for both groups. AChmax, ACh % change and ACh peak were increased in orlistat-treated group but no difference was observed for sibutramine-treated group. BP and total cholesterol (TC) were reduced for orlistat-treated group. HR was reduced for orlistat-treated group but was increased in sibutramine-treated group. CONCLUSION: 9 months treatment with orlistat significantly improved microvascular endothelial function. This was associated with reductions in weight, BMI, BP, HR, TC and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. No effect was seen in microvascular endothelial function with sibutramine.
